The Phoenix Centre Preston Manor Road Tadworth Surrey KT20 5FB
16[th] October 2024
Report of The Trustees to Charity Commission 2023-2024
The MYTI Club was originally set up by a local Businessman, Mr Tony Britto, on Preston Estate, Tadworth, about six years ago. His aim was to provide a safe and secure environment for children from the local area, which is one of the most deprived areas in Surrey. Despite his huge personal input, and indeed enormous financial investment, the club struggled, and whilst there was undoubted need, the strategic management and direction needed support.
Tony Britto invested an enormous amount of personal time and finance into the club, but still it struggled to achieve his ambition.
In late 2022 and into 2023, a group of determined people came together to support Tony, and his main Advisor, Mr John Kemp, and brought about the MYTI becoming a registered Charity.
From then on the club has thrived.
However, this success can only be sustained by donations and grants and the hard work of staff and Trustees in endeavouring to secure ongoing funding.
Whilst we are indebted to East Surrey YMCA for free use of the Phoenix Centre, there are considerable costs involved beyond just the ‘bricks and mortar’.
The Club received grant-funding from a number of statutory agencies and organisations and generous donations from individuals and the local Residents Association.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
It is a fact that without these financial support the Club would have closed its doors to so many vulnerable children.
As an example a grant from Banstead Neighbourhood Fund on behalf of the NHS, relating to the promotion of health, well-being and welfare of children, makes a huge difference to the Club, and ensures that we can employ two dedicated Managers to support the Trustees and Staff in delivering the service. £5000 of the grant pays directly towards their salary and equates to almost 360 hours of their time, or providing consistent management of the Club for about 4 months. One must add that both Managers also give up many more hours of their own time voluntarily in support of the club.
The two part-time Managers now have personal responsibility for Administrative Support, and Operational Management of the Club. They each have delegated authority in several areas, reporting to the Board of Trustees at each Board Meeting.
The active participation of Trustees, each with a designated responsibility, including Safeguarding, Financial, Business Planning and an Ambassadorial role ensures the strategic aims are met.
Thus, we have a management structure that ensures a ‘joined-up approach’ to running the club, with ‘Arm’s Length Management’ by Trustees, and devolved responsibilities to those with knowledge and understanding of the children and adults in the club.
Much of the grant-funding we receive is about the nutritional health and well-being of our children. It is a sad fact that many of our child members will not receive a regular hot meal when away from School, or come from households where there is no guarantee of a nutritious meal. The cost of supplying each child with a hot meal, during Friday sessions and during some School holiday periods, (including packed lunches for trips) eats up, pun intended, substantial amounts of funding to obtain, and then produce about 3500 meals annually, and recruiting and supporting the staff to cook and prepare them.
To equate the funding with number of sessions is difficult as one can see, but in simple terms each session costs about £500, but this is quite variable e.g. a single holiday trip or organised activity, can cost far more.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
Taken together we hope the reader understands just what a difference small but generous donations and other funding makes to the children and their families.
We continue to successfully deliver the existing Friday evening activities and s part of our structures Staff Support processes, have now begun to introduce a structured personal development planning (PDP) process for all staff, including our young leaders.
This includes certified training for both adult leaders and young leaders including, for example, Safeguarding, First Aid, Eating Healthily, Hygiene and Food preparation, and ‘Helping others’.
These underpin the new ethos and aim which is to improve the health and well-being of children, and in turn siblings and family members, in our area.
Already these are ‘paying off’.
Example:
We identified a need for more staff in our Kitchen to undertake the food hygiene training. They did so, and immediately recognised a number of concerns, that they then took responsibility for rectifying these.
As a direct result, when Reigate and Banstead Borough Environmental Health Food Standards Team visited and inspected, MYTI were awarded 5 Stars, an improvement on the last inspection.
This is all ongoing, but our two Managers have already identified and sourced other on-line Courses and Partnership opportunities, including with East Surrey YMCA to join in their Safeguarding training, reducing cost to the Club, and encouraging better communication/relationships.
Each member of staff now has an annual ‘Development Review’ with one of the two Managers, where a ‘SWOT’ analysis takes place, with potential training and development needs identified.
Additionally, we are working towards development of our Young Leaders, again with accredited appraisal/performance regime. This is more informal than adults, but focusses on developing their life skills and giving them formal feedback on performance-which they can use elsewhere as possible credits, or on a CV.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
The introduction of ‘MYTI Merit Certificates’ for the children attending encourages them to take part, and enjoy the ever-increasing number of activities provided at the Club.
These include all the ‘normal’ activities in childrens and youth clubs, but also such activities as ‘Zumba Classes’ where every child, regardless of ability, joins in. This becomes fun, and simple but effective exercise, something that many children do not do on a regular basis.
Mixed football, supported by a Coach from Chelsea F.C has been introduced and is already paying dividends in terms of female inclusion in all aspects of the Club.
Likewise, holiday time activities, which include daytrips to such places as Chessington World of Adventures, means that many children who are from quite disadvantaged backgrounds have an opportunity to experience a day of fun activity, with friends, all supervised and supported by our staff.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
With friendly, accredited, and supportive Kitchen Staff, the children are encouraged to be more ’involved’ in meal preparation, so they understand nutrition and cooking.
‘Anthony (not his real name)-enjoys the MYTI Club so much, its hard to stop him talking about it. He looks forwards to going every week, and its helping him socialise.’
For some children, including those from refugee families, it is the safe and secure ‘place to go’ on a Friday afternoon and during the holidays. The message is clear to them – ‘We Care’.
Eamon (not his real name)-left the club to go home and found there was no one at home. He immediately returned to the club and found one of our adult leaders and remained with us until it was safe to go home.
We are also building other partnerships via the successful ‘Getting Connected’ Organised by RBBC, and via our local Church, St. Marks in Tattenham Corner, with other local and community organisations.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
We have an excellent relationship with our local Community Development Worker – Maria Hewson, who works tirelessly for the local community.
With her guidance the children are involved beyond the club and under supervision are involved in such community initiatives as Litter-picking.
The establishment of a “The Friends of MYTI club” (to assist with fundraising and additional management support and to consider the additional activities and events that will aid the retention of older children), has been slightly more challenging as often happens in areas of deprivation, but is slowly developing into a group who are not only involved in strategic thinking and planning, but also problem-solving.
One issue we involved them in was investigating potential holiday and other projects for the children to experience. This is ongoing.
We will be working hard to recruit more local people and hopefully businesses into this group.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
Taken together the Trustees firmly believe that once we have this part of the Club structure complete, it will complement the rest of the organisation and take on more responsibility that supports the sustainability of the club.
We have regular inputs from Surrey Police Neighbourhood Officers who engage the children in a wide variety of self/community protection issues.
Such is the success of the Surrey Police/MYTI partnership that MYTI were awarded a Surrey Police Community Safety Award, attributed to the work done by MYTI in keeping children off the streets and reducing reported anti-social behaviour on the estate by 65%!
Looking ahead to even better community impact, MYTI have been selected by Surrey Police to take part in a Community Safety Project – ‘Positive Futures’, which is about involving local children in local problem solving.
The behaviour aspect and personal responsibility to be part of a team or group and part of growing up is reflected in the expected behaviour when attending the Club. It is simple but effective – and seems to work!
We are fortunate to have some dedicated and credible staff and managers, who set an excellent example. We have identified their training needs and will do our best to reflect these in our Development Plan in the coming year and beyond.
Funding for young peoples activities and Clubs is always a challenge and so it is with MYTI. We are encouraged by the grant funding from Safer Communities Surrey, and Active Surrey, plus small donations, which mean that we can continue to provide a specialist service in such a deprived area. However, applications for organisations such as Children In Need and Postcode Lottery Funding have failed as their criteria is very limited and our demographics don’t necessarily match their requirements. But we will continue to seek funding at any opportunity.
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
Some statistics to show the success and development of MYTI this year:
Number of member Children aged 5-15: 280
Average Friday atendance: 50+
Average daily holiday atendance: 40-60
Number of adult leaders (including Catering Staf) : 11 – Paid hourly, per hour of duty, including Training. Non-contracted.
Volunteer Adult Leaders: Variable-depends on need and availability. Three new volunteers recruited this year.
– Number of Youth Leaders: 4 Paid a small amount per session,
including training.
Number of Friends of MYTI: 6
Number of meals supplied in last year (approx.): 3500
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
Some quotes from MYTI Club Members:
(others appear in the MYTI Heart at the end of this report.)
Ethan – Aged 8, ‘MYTI is where I can talk to the adults, and they listen to me. They really care about me. Last week I went to Chessington with MYTI, and I loved it. I don’t think I would ever get the chance to go there if it wasn’t for MYTI.’
Emmanuel – Aged 13 – (Downs Syndrome). ‘I love coming here. There’s always something to do and everyone is so friendly’. Paige – Aged 15 – (Young Leader). ‘I really enjoy coming here. I’ve learned so much that’s going to help me in the future. I’m trusted to help all the children in whatever they are doin,g and I find it great fun as well’.
Morgan – aged 14 – (Severe Allergies). ‘I love coming here and when they allowed me to cook a special curry that I can eat safely, it was great. My Mum thinks MYTI is fantastic’.
Sam – Aged 13 – ‘I’ve been coming to MYTI for some time. I really enjoy it here. The staff all care about the children and because they care the children are well-behaved and make more friends.
Finally, it would be quite remis of the Trustees not to mention John Kemp a local resident who worked tirelessly in support of Tony Britto and the Trustees to move the Club towards and achieve Charitable Status.
We are incredibly grateful to John and Tony for all their hard work over the last year and more, as there's no doubt that without their efforts, there wouldn't be a MYTI Club.
In summary, the Trustees believe that the transformation of MYTI into a Charity has been very successful and can only look forward to enjoying more success in the future and making a positive impact and difference to so many lives.
Finally, on behalf of the Trustees I am pleased to report there have been no serious incidents warranting reporting to The Commission.
Jeffrey Harris (Mr). Jeffrey Harris (Mr.) Honorary Chairman – The MYTI Club October 2024
The MYTI Club Registered Charity No: 1202474
'lknp 'ib•th¢b'. The MYTI Club Registered Churity No.. 1202474
MYTI CLUB (registered charity 1202474) INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
for the period ending 31st December 2023
| Income Donations & Gifts Charitable Grants Tuck Shop / Sumup Bank Interest Miscellaneous Cost of Staff Staff GROSS PROFIT Expenditure Catering Tuck Shop Insurance Print, Post, Stationery, Office Telephone Consumables Materials for Activities External Demonstrators Advertising and Marketing Training Travel Sundry Expenses Legal and Professional Accountancy Finance costs Bank charges SURPLUS RETAINED SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR |
9 months to 31.12.23 £ £ 6,180 50,042 1,946 0 192 58,359 27,377 27,377 30,983 2,398 2,422 16 145 587 534 740 0 0 870 13 825 193 100 8,842 22,141 0 22,141 22,141 |
nths to 12.23 £ 6,180 50,042 1,946 0 192 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,141 0 |
||
| 22,141 | ||
| 22,141 |
Note The above should be seen as a part year only report for the MYTI Club, being 9 months.
Note The new Charity has one outstanding Creditor who is the Founder Trustee. He had previously made loans to the Organisation which then became the Myti Registered Charity. These are subject to a formal repayment agreement equivalent to 10% of any yearly surplus that would not jeopardise the financial security of the Charity.
Note The main Grant Funders to the MYTI Club during this period were: Surrey County Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, East Surrey YMCA, Raven Housing Trust & Active Surrey.
Jeff Harris, Chairman MYTI Club
Jeffrey Harris
Date 10/14/2024
I confirm the above is a true reflection of the Income and Expenditure and financial situation for MYTI for the Reporting Period.. Approved by Amanda Clark, FCA
Amanda Clark FCA Date 1011412024
MYTI CLUB (registered charity 1202474) INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
for the period ending 31st December 2023
| Income Donations & Gifts Charitable Grants Tuck Shop / Sumup Bank Interest Miscellaneous Cost of Staff Staff GROSS PROFIT Expenditure Catering Tuck Shop Insurance Print, Post, Stationery, Office Telephone Consumables Materials for Activities External Demonstrators Advertising and Marketing Training Travel Sundry Expenses Legal and Professional Accountancy Finance costs Bank charges SURPLUS RETAINED SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR |
9 months to 31.12.23 £ £ 6,180 50,042 1,946 0 192 58,359 27,377 27,377 30,983 2,398 2,422 16 145 587 534 740 0 0 870 13 825 193 100 8,842 22,141 0 22,141 22,141 |
nths to 12.23 £ 6,180 50,042 1,946 0 192 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,141 0 |
||
| 22,141 | ||
| 22,141 |
Note The above should be seen as a part year only report for the MYTI Club, being 9 months.
Note The new Charity has one outstanding Creditor who is the Founder Trustee. He had previously made loans to the Organisation which then became the Myti Registered Charity. These are subject to a formal repayment agreement equivalent to 10% of any yearly surplus that would not jeopardise the financial security of the Charity.
Note The main Grant Funders to the MYTI Club during this period were: Surrey County Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, East Surrey YMCA, Raven Housing Trust & Active Surrey.
Jeff Harris, Chairman MYTI Club
Jeffrey Harris
Date 10/14/2024
I confirm the above is a true reflection of the Income and Expenditure and financial situation for MYTI for the Reporting Period.. Approved by Amanda Clark, FCA
Amanda Clark FCA Date 1011412024